Electricity Generation by State

Electricity in the U.S. comes from several sources, including natural gas, coal, nuclear power, wind, hydropower and solar energy. In July 2026, natural gas generated the largest share of utility-scale electricity nationwide at 45.2%. Coal ranked second at 16.7%, followed by nuclear power at 15.7%.

Choose Energy’s October 2026 Electricity Generation Report analyzes the latest available data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). It compares total utility-scale electricity generation and each state’s mix of generation sources using July 2026 data.

Generation figures are shown in thousand megawatt-hours (thousand MWh). This report covers utility-scale electricity generation and excludes small-scale solar generation.

Texas generated more utility-scale electricity than any other state in July 2026, producing 63,542 thousand MWh. That represented 14.0% of total U.S. utility-scale generation. Florida ranked second with 28,581 thousand MWh, followed by Pennsylvania with 23,964 thousand MWh.

The following table compares total utility-scale electricity generation in every state and the share generated from coal, hydropower, natural gas, nuclear power, utility-scale solar and wind in July 2026. These figures represent electricity generated within each state, which may differ from the electricity delivered to customers because power can move across state lines.

Source percentages may not total 100% because petroleum, geothermal, biomass and other generation sources are not displayed. Figures may also vary slightly because of rounding. “NA” indicates that the EIA did not report a usable value.

Coal generated 75,785 thousand MWh of utility-scale electricity nationwide in July 2026, accounting for 16.7% of total U.S. generation. Texas generated the most electricity from coal at 7,311 thousand MWh, followed by West Virginia at 5,809 thousand MWh and Kentucky at 4,426 thousand MWh. Coal represented 90.1% of West Virginia’s total in-state generation.

Hydropower generated 20,266 thousand MWh of utility-scale electricity nationwide in July 2026, representing 4.5% of total U.S. generation. Washington generated the most hydroelectric power at 6,077 thousand MWh, followed by California at 2,627 thousand MWh and New York at 2,290 thousand MWh. Hydropower accounted for 65.8% of Washington’s in-state electricity generation.

Natural gas was the largest source of utility-scale electricity in the U.S. in July 2026. It generated 205,294 thousand MWh, representing 45.2% of total national generation. Texas generated the most natural gas-fired electricity at 32,077 thousand MWh, followed by Florida at 21,207 thousand MWh and Pennsylvania at 14,444 thousand MWh.

Nuclear power generated 71,172 thousand MWh of electricity nationwide in July 2026, representing 15.7% of total U.S. utility-scale generation. Illinois generated the most nuclear electricity at 8,610 thousand MWh, followed by Pennsylvania at 6,678 thousand MWh and South Carolina at 4,939 thousand MWh.

Utility-scale solar power generated 41,412 thousand MWh of electricity nationwide in July 2026, representing 9.1% of total U.S. utility-scale generation. Texas generated the most at 9,539 thousand MWh, followed by California at 6,608 thousand MWh and Florida at 2,744 thousand MWh.

These figures exclude estimated small-scale solar generation, including electricity from residential rooftop systems.

Wind power generated 32,184 thousand MWh of utility-scale electricity nationwide in July 2026, accounting for 7.1% of total U.S. generation. Texas generated the most wind electricity at 10,696 thousand MWh, followed by Oklahoma at 3,295 thousand MWh and Kansas at 2,250 thousand MWh.

Electricity generation varies substantially across the country. Texas generated more total electricity than any other state in July 2026 and led the nation in electricity generated from coal, natural gas, utility-scale solar and wind. Washington generated the most hydropower, while Illinois led nuclear electricity generation.

Individual state generation mixes were equally distinct. Coal accounted for 90.1% of West Virginia’s generation, hydropower supplied 65.8% of Washington’s, wind supplied 39.0% of South Dakota’s, nuclear power supplied 50.1% of New Hampshire’s and utility-scale solar supplied 30.2% of California’s. These percentages describe electricity generated within each state rather than the electricity ultimately delivered to its customers.

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